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1.5 The Theory of Plate Tectonics


Vocabulary


Scientific Theory - well tested concept that explains a wide range of observations.
Plate Tectonics - geological theory that states that pieces of Earth's lithosphere are in constant,slow motiondriven by connvection currents in the mantle.
Faults - breaks in earth's crust where rocks have slipped past each other.
Transform Boundary - place where two plates slip past each other ,moving in opposite directions.
Divergent Boundary - place where two plates move apart or diverge.
Convergent Boundary - place where two plates come together or converge.
Plates - broken sections of the Lithosphere.
Rift Valley - a deep valley.

Outline



Theory of Plate Motion

Plate boundaries


  • Transform Boundaries
    • a place where 2 plates slip past each other moving in opposite directions. Earthquakes occur frequently along these boundaries.

  • Divergent Boundaries
    • Place where 2 plates more apart. Divergent Boundaries also occur on land, when they do 2 of Earth's plates side apart creating a rift valley.

  • Convergent Boundaries
    • place where 2 plates come together or collide. When 2 plates collide, the density of the plates determines which one comes out on top

The Continents Slow Dance